The Price Family | Mentor Headlands Photographer
Addie & Oli,
Our evening together at Mentor Headlands Beach was exactly that kind of perfect summer memory, one that was overflowing with laughter, love, and the sweetest little moments I’ll never forget.
Oliver and Addie, every time I get to photograph you two, I feel like I’m watching another beautiful chapter of your story unfold. You have grown so much, yet somehow you still have the same wonder and joy that make every session feel like spending time with family instead of work. That’s because, somewhere along the way, you stopped feeling like clients and started feeling like my own little nieces and nephew.
Oliver, you were completely captivated by the beach. While some people search for seashells, you had your eyes on rocks. Every few steps, you’d discover another one that simply had to come home with you. You examined each treasure so carefully, as if every rock held its own little story. Your pockets became a collection of tiny beach memories, and watching your excitement made the whole evening even sweeter.
Addie, your joyful spirit could light up even the cloudiest day. Your laughter drifted through the breeze as you explored the shoreline, danced through the sand, and smiled with that beautiful sparkle that always seems to find my camera. You have such a gentle, kind heart, and it shines in every photograph.
As I watched the two of you play together, I couldn’t help but think of your precious big sister, Ellie. Though she wasn’t running through the sand beside us, her love is forever woven into your family’s story. It feels as though pieces of her are carried in each of your smiles, in the way your family loves so deeply, and in the quiet strength that surrounds all of you. I imagine Heaven smiling every time your family makes another beautiful memory together, and somehow that makes moments like these feel even more meaningful.
The sun slowly melted toward the horizon, painting the sky with soft shades of gold, blush pink, and lavender. The waves rolled in with their gentle rhythm, wrapping the evening in a peaceful kind of magic that only God could create.
And because every perfect beach evening deserves the perfect ending, we made one more stop after our session. We headed to Scooters for ice cream, and believe it or not, it was my very first visit! Somehow, after all these years, I had never been. Sharing that little first with all of you made it even more special. Sticky fingers, happy smiles, and sweet treats were the perfect way to end an already unforgettable night.
These are the kinds of evenings that remind me why I love what I do so much. Yes, I get to preserve beautiful photographs, but even more than that, I get to watch families grow, celebrate milestones, and hold onto moments that pass far too quickly. Getting to love your family through my camera has been one of the greatest gifts of my business and one of the greatest joys of my heart.
I hope that years from now, when Oliver has long outgrown filling his pockets with beach rocks and Addie has grown into the beautiful young woman she’s becoming, these photographs will bring you right back to this evening. You’ll remember the sound of the waves, the warmth of the sunset, the sweetness of ice cream afterward, and the love that surrounded every single moment.
